RolePlay onLine RPoL Logo

, welcome to Game Proposals, Input, and Advice

09:28, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

We are the Crystal Gems~

Posted by girl in green
girl in green
member, 42 posts
Fri 24 Jul 2015
at 06:57
  • msg #1

We are the Crystal Gems~

So, I've been watching Steven Universe a fair amount lately while babysitting, and it's a really wonderful cartoon with a lot of charm and heart. I adore the way it blends fun slice-of-life with earnest, character-driven drama. The basic premise of "alien warriors named and styled after gems play caretaker to a kid while they defend the Earth and combat their own inner demons" strikes me as very, um... modular? and roleplay-friendly. With a few details ironed out, I think it could potentially make for a fun game.

I have some ideas for a system and some ideas on how to handle certain things, but I figured I'd keep things brief for now until I can see if there'd be any interest in something like this or not.
Eggy
member, 584 posts
Fri 24 Jul 2015
at 08:21
  • msg #2

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

I think it sounds fun.
StarlitSpider
member, 12 posts
Fri 24 Jul 2015
at 15:26
  • msg #3

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

In reply to girl in green (msg # 1):

I just recently discovered the show myself, finishing the first season yesterday. I think Chuubo's is probably the perfect engine for a game matching the show's style.
Eggy
member, 585 posts
Fri 24 Jul 2015
at 16:21
  • msg #4

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

In reply to StarlitSpider (msg # 3):

I didn't know about CMWGE. Thanks, StarlitSpider. Just reading some reviews and watching a video on it. I'll most likely purchase a pdf when I'm done with today's errands.
girl in green
member, 43 posts
Sat 25 Jul 2015
at 02:34
  • msg #5

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

Neat! I've never heard of it, but that's a really interesting suggestion. Just from a cursory search, it looks like it's been bandied around as a great choice for a system to run a Steven Universe game before, too. Hmm. I was originally thinking FATE, but now I'm toying around with picking up Chuubo's Marvelous Wish-Granting Engine and acquainting myself with it.

While I do that, I have a question or two about some logistics of a Steven Universe for anyone inclined to throw in their two cents. I'll start with a big one: how would you handle fusions between PCs in a play by post game?

The intricacies of various kinds of relationships are obviously an important part of SU's vibe, and fusions are a cool, interesting embodiment of that. The only problem is the logistics of two people playing one character, even temporarily. Like, do I have them decide on a course of action and write posts together, maybe with an OOC deadline where they come undone if they can't agree on a course of action? Should they collaborate on the appearance of their fusions and a few baseline personality traits beforehand or do you think it would be more fun as a surprise?
Eggy
member, 586 posts
Sat 25 Jul 2015
at 03:06
  • msg #6

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

I've never tried it, but can more than one person control a character in a game? If not, we could each post the thoughts and actions of each part and the GM could, in the response, the result and how well the fusion works as a unit. For multiple fusions, I'm not sure yet.

I like the idea of the a deadline and coming undone if the players can't agree on an action.

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
On the other hand, there should be a chance to force an action. Using the spoiler tag in case someone hasn't seen the Lapis/Jasper fusion


I think the first time characters fuse, the appearance should depend on how well they cooperate. I'm not sure yet what kind of chance rolls Chuubo offers, but what do you guys think? If the compatibility is low then the GM could surprise the players. Or players could create giant women monsters purposely to describe an unstable or reckless fusion.
StarlitSpider
member, 14 posts
Sat 25 Jul 2015
at 05:20
  • msg #7

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

I need to re-familiarize myself with the mechanics (I'm really beginning to wish I had the pdf instead of the ePub version), but I think it should work as simply as each player taking action in turn as normal. That those actions are being taken by characters sharing a body bears consideration, but I don't think it would be innately disruptive the way it might in a crunchier system.

Fusions' appearance, abilities, and personalities might bear consideration before bringing them into play. In a play-by-post format, that's a little easier, because it's easy to discuss that over PMs or in OoC chat before making a post. It is of course, entirely up to you if you want to add something innately uncontrollable into the mix might make sense.

I'll try to come in with better advice after I've reexamined the system myself.
Solanine
member, 13 posts
Sat 25 Jul 2015
at 22:12
  • msg #8

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

I would be incredibly game for this if you decide to go forward with it. As far as my personal preference goes, hitting the proper tone would be more important to me than the choice of system, as long as the final choice isn't too crunchy. CMWGE's promising, and Fate's usually a solid choice; especially ICONS.

RE: fusions, I would favor a small degree of initial collaboration, myself, unless one or both players would prefer to be surprised or there are special circumstances involved. I love to brainstorm and talk shop with people, and that seems like an interesting way to get players interacting with each other and engaged in their character ideas. It would be convenient if two or more people could post under the same character, but I don't think that's doable, unfortunately. I do like the idea of tying the ability to stay fused into OOC cooperation and posting deadlines in addition to the mechanics.
StarlitSpider
member, 15 posts
Sun 26 Jul 2015
at 01:14
  • msg #9

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

In reply to Solanine (msg # 8):

I'm not sure what harm it would do to have both players acting as normal, just happening to share a character. "You can always act" is a tenet in Chuubo's and Nobilis both, and it would probably be fitting thematically. It still involves a great deal of out-of-character cooperation. It does put a Fusion in more of a spotlight- but isn't that ideal?

I'm not very experienced as a GM myself, though, (and haven't played a game where Fusion Dances were a thing) so I'm not sure.
Eggy
member, 587 posts
Sun 26 Jul 2015
at 01:31
  • msg #10

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

Would the be The Crystal Gems or other Gems? Could they also be inhabitants of Beach City? Or will the game pick up elsewhere?
Solanine
member, 14 posts
Sun 26 Jul 2015
at 01:49
  • msg #11

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

In reply to StarlitSpider (msg # 9):

Oh, I agree. I'm 100% for that, I just meant it's unfortunate that two players couldn't share the same character name to post on, as far as rpol's functionality goes. An example of what I mean would be, like - Player A posts as Siam, Player B posts as Emerald, but both Player A and Player B have control of a third character, Citrine, for when they fuse. If that makes sense? It's a minor thing, easy enough to work around, but it would be a convenient feature to have for a game like this.
girl in green
member, 44 posts
Sun 26 Jul 2015
at 04:02
  • msg #12

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

Okay, below are some quick thoughts/questions about a potential game while I consider my options for a system. I have a definite vision for things so I don't want you all to feel pressured into designing your own premise, but I'm always and forever receptive to feedback and open to the idea of adjusting things based on player preference, so don't feel afraid to speak up, either.

- I'm generally not a fan of fussing over canon or tiptoeing around it in games based on existing properties, so I figured on providing a same-but-different scenario and having prospective players just make their own gem character. Big battle, final stand, stranded on Earth (whether voluntarily or not), picking up the pieces and safeguarding the planet ever since - etc, etc. Plenty of room for drama and adventures of the investigative, slice-of-life, and action-y sort. Does that appeal? How much of the initial info would be ideal for me to flesh out myself, and how much would you prefer to do yourselves via backstory?

- Similarly,  I was planning on probably whipping up another city to set the game primarily in, complete with new background locals, while still retaining the funky "alt history where humans were influenced by the gems' presence and everything's just a touch different in the modern day" vibe. The fun, down to earth townie stuff appeals to me just as much as the cosmic adventure in a lot of ways, to be honest.

- Any preferences on whether we begin the game with the player characters as a pre-existing team, or maybe with a catalyst that leads to them meeting up?

Also, I agree with you guys about the fusions; it should be an appropriately collaborative effort, IC and OOC. I might make a post in RPoL Development about the possibility of two players utilizing one character name to post with, but yeah, it's still perfectly handleable if that turns out to not be possible.
StarlitSpider
member, 16 posts
Sun 26 Jul 2015
at 04:56
  • msg #13

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

Solanine:
In reply to StarlitSpider (msg # 9):

Oh, I agree. I'm 100% for that, I just meant it's unfortunate that two players couldn't share the same character name to post on, as far as rpol's functionality goes. An example of what I mean would be, like - Player A posts as Siam, Player B posts as Emerald, but both Player A and Player B have control of a third character, Citrine, for when they fuse. If that makes sense? It's a minor thing, easy enough to work around, but it would be a convenient feature to have for a game like this.


Pardon, I misunderstood. That makes more sense, and I'm curious to see if it's a possibility.

The idea of starting fresh sounds good- that's what I'm planning to do in the Transformers game I'm working out, and you really wouldn't have much to work with here, since the base material has a timeline revolving almost entirely around less than half a dozen characters.

That does bring up the question of how closely the reasons for that battle, stand, and stranding have to mirror those in the show. Maybe large swathes of the past could be left vague and nebulous until narration and character interaction establishes it? That would mirror the structure of the show, but more importantly, would that be an interesting (and effective) way to play?

I'm not sure how much sense it would make for the handful of gems stranded on earth for millenia to have not met until now- if that's the scenario we go with. Just depends on the context.
girl in green
member, 45 posts
Mon 27 Jul 2015
at 02:01
  • msg #14

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

In reply to StarlitSpider (msg # 13):

You're definitely asking some good questions here! Answering this stuff has been really helping my collect my various scattered thoughts, so I really appreciate the questions and thoughts from all of you.

The idea I was most considering proceeding with was that the PCs are all individuals who are connected to a very important figure - your typical charismatic, enigmatic leader type. Said connection can be positive, or negative, but for whatever reason, the PCs were on Earth and were later bubbled by this individual following the conclusion of the war. They've spent the entire time in suspension.

Recently, their bubble has popped. They don't know how, or why, or even where they are (considering how much has changed in the intervening years) and the ~mysterious figure~ is missing in action. All they have left from her is a message, urging them to continue her work of protecting the earth. In addition to the protect and serve shtick, you're figuring out what this individual was up to during the years you lost, and getting to know the weird, squishy people that are responsible for you cutting ties with your former life.

I thought a situation like that might be a decent way to keep some ambiguity going, and to have the PCs meeting for the first time if the players didn't want to begin as an established team. The motivation for the stand against Homeworld could be pretty much the same, at least on the surface:  regret over past actions and atrocities, and a budding affection for Earth. Whether a player character wholeheartedly believes in this, or was just swept up in the current somehow, would be up to their player.
Solanine
member, 15 posts
Tue 28 Jul 2015
at 01:49
  • msg #15

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

I can't think of anything constructive to add at the moment, but color me interested. I imagine the dynamic will be pretty different sans-coming of age themes and without a little hybrid there to bridge the gap, but overall that sounds like a good framework for the smaller adventures+overarching mystery format.
elecgraystone
member, 880 posts
Wed 29 Jul 2015
at 04:41
  • msg #16

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

Sounds like an interesting idea. I might be interested in playing depending on the system used for it.
Justisaur
member, 20 posts
Dungeon Master since 1979
Thu 30 Jul 2015
at 21:38
  • msg #17

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

Sound interesting.  In the series if the components of the fused form disagree on actions they separate.
elecgraystone
member, 881 posts
Thu 30 Jul 2015
at 22:04
  • msg #18

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

In reply to Justisaur (msg # 17):

Not always. If one can stay in control they can force the fusion to act on their own.

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
For instance, Lapis forced Malachite to the bottom of the ocean and wouldn't let Jasper put of the fusion.

This message was last edited by the user at 23:08, Thu 30 July 2015.
Eggy
member, 592 posts
Thu 30 Jul 2015
at 22:16
  • msg #19

Re: We are the Crystal Gems~

In reply to elecgraystone (msg # 18):

I put that bit in a spoiler tag in post #6, just in case.
Sign In